Umpire farce - Getting worse by the minute!

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Don't forget to mention that only moments earlier a fresh air handball (Stokes I think) was simply called play on. He had prior opportunity and was simply out tackled,,, PLAY ON! This umpire farce is a complete joke. Cotch being constantly man-handled used to earn him free kicks, now it seems that they don't see that as necessary.

Geelong used the same tactics successfully on Cotchin last year - blocking/holding at stoppages and punishing him at the bottom of packs. Provoked an outburst from Hardwick.

Re tackling - we get panned for not doing it, then we wear ourselves out tackling against Geelong and get donuts from the umpires. Maybe we're better off "corralling" under the current interpretation.

 

[TigerMoz]

He's becoming very unsportsmanlike these days, the charge on Newman was a blight on a quality contest and totally against the spirit of the game. His milking of free kicks needs to be addressed, it seems he'll stop at nothing to get a few freebies, and it's incredibly frustrating to see the umpires pander to him like lapdogs.

As I watch the replay I see Selwood clearly grab Cotch over the shoulder late in the second. How ironic that he gets so many yet it doesn't get paid against him. The commentators could only say that 'Richmond supporters thought their captain should have got a free'

 

[TigerMoz]

Also lost some respect for Selwood last night, great great player but a dog never the less. What upset me even more though is Richmond's response to the incident, and the fact that we did not have anyone showing any backbone and getting in his face apart from the Newman. Was embarrassing to see Deledio go and stand against him after the incident and not put any physical pressure on him what so ever. Looked like men against boys. Timid. In fact he could not even make eye contact. I know he's not a physical player but gee get a LITTLE angry Brett.

I noticed that also. Maybe they were fearful that a free would be paid against for verbalising against the opposition such was the state of affairs at the time. I want to see these boys fire up, not just when playing Collingwood in a match they will never win (hence nothing to lose) but when any of their boys are being put under unnecessary pressure. Especially against teams like Geelong. Not hard enough boys. In fact I can't remember the last time I thought Richmond were a tough team. It's a bloody disgrace.

 

[TigerMoz]

That was the 50m. Did he happen to say anything about his disappointment at not getting a rightful free when he was dumped after he had disposed of the ball? I suggest not because the AFL has effectively gagged players from commenting on such disgraceful decisions.

It started with James Hird years ago making comments on TFS and getting fined 20k

 

[TigerMoz]

Hmmm reckon Jack stages for heaps of frees to (though i dont want to start petty arguements) Selwood literally willed the cats to beat hawks in the first round of the season, dont "think" that was based on him working the umps to win cheap frees ( not saying he doesnt). I'd put him as very good player/leader FIRST....stager second.

At least you acknowledge he IS a stager. He is also a Ducker and antagonist. And unlike Jack he gets paid anything that is even half a free kick.

 

[nikolasmia]

Selwood is a champion, he is just manipulating the rules like all champions do, a bit like Kb did.

This difference between him and other champions is that he also happens to be an outstanding leader.

Would love Selwood at Richmond

 

[TigerMoz]

I had a look at Knights' 2 set shot misses but can't see this happening. Would you know when this happened, I'd like to have a look at it, must have been someone else.

If you saw the live version of the game they made a point of it at half time. They turned the umpire volume up and you could see that he just didn't shut up all the way during Knights' run in. Ridiculous.

 

[Tigerz73]

Thanks I don't have the live copy, yes sounds crazy

 

[CarnTheTiges]

I had a look at Knights' 2 set shot misses but can't see this happening. Would you know when this happened, I'd like to have a look at it, must have been someone else.

Darcy mentioned it multiple times throughout the call after he first made the point the first time. He really hates it. Likened it to being heckled by a supporter on the field when shooting for goal.

 

[acatman]

At least you acknowledge he IS a stager. He is also a Ducker and antagonist. And unlike Jack he gets paid anything that is even half a free kick.

Correct, ( re Selwood) i like to think i am a reasoned cat fan. Selwood is there basically 100% of the time in the heat of the battle putting his head over the ball, and taking tough hits. Jack probably in 50%?, at most of the play, and doesnt seem to be as urgent at ALL contest as Selwood is. Many forwards dont get the "half frees" you talk of (exception Buddy). Hawkins also gets blocked off the ball numerous times as well, i suspect because of his huge frame these are "let go" by the umps. Also IF Jack continually stares at the umps for frees it will do his cause zilch good. I dont want to get involved too much is a Jack thread, as i quite enjoy watching him when he is on song

 

[Tommo37]

A couple of free kick stats,

Team

North Melbourne 161 frees for--ranked 1st

Richmond 129 frees for--ranked 13th
Geelong 120 frees for--ranked 14th

Player

A.Swallow + L.Thomas ( NM) 19 frees for--ranked Equal 1st

Jack Riewoldt 13 frees for--ranked equal 12th (cotch also 13 frees)
Joel Selwood 14 frees for--ranked equal 6th ( has also given away 11 frees)

Unusual to have equal leaders from the same team, looks like NM are the new umpires pet, taking over from West Coast.

 

[chislop]

:clap must admit that I am having trouble getting 'into' the footy this year. I seems we have altered the game so much it barely resembles what I grew up watching. I know the game needs to evolve, but in some instances I think they change things for the sake of change rather than to benefit the game.

I have also lost a lot of respect for *smile* and his merry men as they have made a mockery of the code by allowing the likes of Melbourne and Essundumb to bring the game into disrepute yet have done little about it. Maybe they cant do much yet with Essundumb with the ASADA investigation but they could at least be impartial and stay out of it rather than telling everyone to lay off them.

The whole thing makes me sick.

Agree with your sentiments absolutely. I used to watch (and enjoy) at least 2 games on the weekend but now only watch Tiges games when on free to air or listen on the radio and I do that out of a sense of commitment and love that is unfortunately fading as time goes on.

I dont understand half the time why the umpire is blowing his whistle, and the constant rule changes are clearly confusing and confounding the umpires AND the players. The kerfuffle and NBA style pre-game crap at the grounds, the AFL administration's decision to sell most of the games to pay tv, the theatrics of the umpires, the obsession with annual rule changes, manipulation and monetisation of a national game and inconsistent standards....its awful and I can feel my enthusiasm for the game waning, not because of the Tiges' failure to win the last 3 games but because I no longer understand what it is I'm watching. The game is passing me by.

Demetriou and his merry band of men are alienating generations of fans and turning the game into a superbowl spectacle. The icing on the cake was the Melbourne non-tanking decision and now Demetriou's interference in the ASADA investigation and the lengths he is going to to protect Essendon...and his job. Keep it coming Andrew...I'm almost gone.

 

[Jason King]

I noticed when Maric was injured, the Cats "ruckman" were two up at every contest. Despite their clearly being an AFL about two designated ruckman only this never gets called. Just add that to the list of things that the AFL are willing to sacrifice for the price of a quicker game.

 

[TOT70]

I noticed when Maric was injured, the Cats "ruckman" were two up at every contest. Despite their clearly being an AFL about two designated ruckman only this never gets called. Just add that to the list of things that the AFL are willing to sacrifice for the price of a quicker game.

A number of clubs are doing this. Suddenly, the number 2 ruckman is back in favour.

Will they allow it to last? Or will the early adopters get an advantage for a few weeks before it is finally shut down?

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

I noticed when Maric was injured, the Cats "ruckman" were two up at every contest. Despite their clearly being an AFL about two designated ruckman only this never gets called. Just add that to the list of things that the AFL are willing to sacrifice for the price of a quicker game.

This began with attempts to combat Sandilands years ago. Freo learned from it, maybe we should too. If it becomes a farce with half a dozen players jumping for the ball, the AFL will be forced to legislate for one player on each side to contest the tap. As it should be.

 

[Jason King]

This began with attempts to combat Sandilands years ago. Freo learned from it, maybe we should too. If it becomes a farce with half a dozen players jumping for the ball, the AFL will be forced to legislate for one player on each side to contest the tap. As it should be.

It bugs me because by its very definition it is a sheppard off the ball. If you are not going to go for the tap then you shouldn't be allowed to wrestle with the opposition player that actually is going for the ball. Otherwise I cant fathom why our club doesn't just make it four on four at every contest!

 

[bowden4president]

It bugs me because by its very definition it is a sheppard off the ball. If you are not going to go for the tap then you shouldn't be allowed to wrestle with the opposition player that actually is going for the ball. Otherwise I cant fathom why our club doesn't just make it four on four at every contest!

ya just know we will get pinged for it

 

[Brodders17]

It bugs me because by its very definition it is a sheppard off the ball. If you are not going to go for the tap then you shouldn't be allowed to wrestle with the opposition player that actually is going for the ball. Otherwise I cant fathom why our club doesn't just make it four on four at every contest!

we actually tried to counter this on the weekend. we tried to block or at least man the '3rd man up', often Blivcas. the other thing we did a couple of times was nominate Jackson as the ruck so he would 'compete' against one of the ruck whilst Maric was then freer to run at the ball. this seemed to work ok.

against the dockers, one of the (many) terrible errors we made late was we left the 3rd man up totally free. whichever ruck it was that came over the top at each of the ball-ups had no-one near him making for a very easy hit. we seemed to have learnt from this at least.

 

[smasha]

Shoulda wore the umpire uniform with I HATE RICHMOND on it like I said I would.

 

[smasha]

A couple of free kick stats,

Team

North Melbourne 161 frees for--ranked 1st

Richmond 129 frees for--ranked 13th
Geelong 120 frees for--ranked 14th

Player

A.Swallow + L.Thomas ( NM) 19 frees for--ranked Equal 1st

Jack Riewoldt 13 frees for--ranked equal 12th (cotch also 13 frees)
Joel Selwood 14 frees for--ranked equal 6th ( has also given away 11 frees)

Unusual to have equal leaders from the same team, looks like NM are the new umpires pet, taking over from West Coast.

WE are ranked only 5 from the bottom.Remember the first 3 games we got the rub of the green then the umpires shat thmself with fear knowing we were probably a good bet on making the 8 then they did a massive U-turn lol.
Take the first three games away and I'd love to see the free kick count.

And guess how many frees the team I reckon will be vying for that 8th spot later in the year?
Yep,North Melbourne.

Ranked first in frees for.

Need I say more.